Founded in Detroit in 1903, the Ford Motor Company is an iconic American brand with a rich 120-year history. Despite being rooted in tradition, the Blue Oval is now undergoing one of if not its single biggest change to date as the company begins transitioning to an all-electric lineup. And the latest addition to this zero-emissions lineup is the all-new all-electric Ford Explorer EV SUV.
Based on Volkswagen’s Modular Electric Drive platform — that it’s been developing with Ford — the all-electric Explorer is noticeably smaller and sleeker than the petrol-powered Explorer that’s long been available in the U.S. market. The company’s first electric vehicle to be built at scale in the new Ford Cologne EV Centre in Germany, the new all-electric Explorer sports a futuristic design language that include a similar front fascia and smoothed over grille as the Mustang Mach-E, while also sharing a similar Mustang-inspired LED taillight setup. The front-end of this compact SUV model also features a set of sleek-looking headlights with LED-strip DRLs. Produced in rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive variants, the battery-powered Explorer crossover is also capable of receiving a 10% to 80% charge in as little as 25 minutes.
Inside, the interior of the Explorer EV comes loaded with a cabin-embedded soundbar, a movable 15” infotainment screen, wireless app integration, customizable RGB light strips, onboard wireless phones chargers, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, heated front seats and steering wheel, a massaging driver’s seat, and a multi-zone climate control system — all as standard amenities. The cabin of the electric SUV also boasts a whopping 470 liters of storage space while in a five-seat configuration, plus packs a center console with an additional 17 liters of room. The third generation versions of Ford’s Clear Exit Assist and Assisted Lane Change functions also come as standard, as well, as does keyless entry. While there’s no word on power output Ford has stated that the new EV model will boast a 305-mile range and the ability to tow up loads of more than 3,000lbs. What’s more, the company has also revealed that it’s developing an EV Explorer model for the American market, however, it remains to be seen if will share any of its Euro market counterpart’s still unknown specs — or if it will even be based on the same chassis or platform, as there’s a decent chance the U.S. market variant will be markedly larger.
Slated to initially be offered in two trim levels – the Explorer EV and the Explorer Premium EV – the all-new all-electric 2024 Ford Explorer EV will be available for order beginning later this year. In addition to announcing an estimated starting price of €45,000 (~ $48,500+) or less, Ford has also revealed that, at least for the time being, this release will be limited to just the European market.
